Office Chairs: Comfort and Adjustability

Office Chairs: Comfort and Adjustability

A well-designed office chair is critical for maintaining good posture and comfort. When shopping for an office chair, consider the following features:

Lumbar Support: A good chair will have support for the lower back. Some have adjustable lumbar supports that allow the user to fit the chair to their lower back. This is important to prevent back strain that can become sciatica, a debilitating condition.

Adjustability: The best office chairs have at least 5 adjustments with some having up to 14 different adjustments. Important features include lumbar support, arm width and height, seat back width and height, seat and back angle, and tension control.

Wheel Base: Rolling is important in preventing strain due to reaching across a desk to retrieve items that are out of reach.

Swivel Base: Office chairs should swivel freely to allow for easy access to various parts of the desk. If the chair doesn’t swivel, arm fatigue can result from overextending to reach various items.

Fabric: The fabric should be breathable to keep the chair from becoming hot and uncomfortable after hours of sitting. It should also have enough cushion to support the person sitting in it without feeling the base of the chair through the cushion.

Checklist for Desk and Chair Features

When preparing to select your home office furniture, consider these features:

For Desks:

Ergonomic design

Proper height for your body

Adequate desktop space

Sufficient leg room

Storage components as needed

Cable management features

Surface durability and finish

For Office Chairs:

Lumbar support

Adjustable height and tilt

Comfortable seat cushion

Breathable fabric or mesh

Armrest adjustability

Easy swivel and roll

Overall stability